Help Save Trout Lake
Donation protected
Help Us Keep Our Inland Lakes Free from Gravel Pit Development!
A gravel pit operation has applied to re-zone a site at Trout Lake, 25 km from Thunder Bay. The site is adjacent to a river, lakefront properties, the local road, and Hwy 591, which is a school bus route and access to the other lakes in the region. If one pit is approved so close to these amenities, what would stop this industry from expanding further into ‘camp country’, putting at risk other lakes such as Surprise, Hawkeye, Dog, One Island, Two Island, and Island Lakes, all of which are located in similar landscapes.
Trout Lake is a freshwater lake at the headwaters of the McIntyre River which flows into Lake Superior, a protected water source. There are 120 lots, 2/3 are campers, 1/3 full time residents. The area is designated as Lake Residential and a Fishery and is a destination point for extended families and Thunder Bay visitors. The proposed gravel pit is too close to residences, conflicts with the established land use and poses risk to the natural environment.
Re-zoning the property at Trout Lake would result in short term gains for the sand and gravel pit at the expense of long term consequences for people and the environment. It also sets a bad precedent for the region. Alternative sites already zoned for aggregate extraction are abundantly available.
Please join us in opposing the application to rezone for the following reasons:
1. Unacceptable environmental hazards to surface and ground water, air quality, ecosystems and biodiversity.
2. Unacceptable health hazards from contaminants to water and air. Diesel fuel and most significantly, aggregate dust affects all people, mostly children, the elderly, people with asthma, heart disease, COPD and diabetes. Aggregate dust contains silica, a known carcinogen.
3. Unacceptable noise levels associated with crushing rocks and truck traffic.
4. Unacceptable safety hazards resulting from increased truck traffic, and,
5. Unacceptable cost to tax payers as a result of increased health costs, damage to provincial roads and private property.
Funds are needed to level the playing field by retaining a Professional Planner for guidance, advice, and expert representation as well as for Environmental Experts to peer review studies put forth by the applicant. The studies submitted by the applicatnt need to be peer reviewed by relevant experts in the area that can confirm or deny their validity. This can cost from $2,000-4,000 each (currently there are 4 studies submitted). Moreover, we have retained and are contracting a planner to aid us in advice and relevant research that needs to be done in pertaining to this property. It is estimated that this will likely cost us $10,000 total. Any amount will be greatly appreciated. Attending the Lakehead Rural Planning Board meetings on May 3 or June 7th, 2018 would also demonstrate - by numbers - just how much we all value this region. Their offices are located at 3250 Hwy 130 Rosslyn ON (just west of the Twin City Crossroads and Arthur Street).
All funds raised for this campaign will be directly deposited into the Trout Lake Campers' Association account through Allana Hogard (treasurer of Trout Lake Campers' Association). The gravel pit opposition subcommittee, for which I am apart of, will then decide upon the utilization of these funds for the above described needs.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration to support our efforts to protect Trout Lake and the future of this vibrant area!
Trout Lake Campers’ Association
Subcommittee for Gravel Pit Opposition
subcommittee member - Robin Latimer - permanent resident at Trout Lake
A gravel pit operation has applied to re-zone a site at Trout Lake, 25 km from Thunder Bay. The site is adjacent to a river, lakefront properties, the local road, and Hwy 591, which is a school bus route and access to the other lakes in the region. If one pit is approved so close to these amenities, what would stop this industry from expanding further into ‘camp country’, putting at risk other lakes such as Surprise, Hawkeye, Dog, One Island, Two Island, and Island Lakes, all of which are located in similar landscapes.
Trout Lake is a freshwater lake at the headwaters of the McIntyre River which flows into Lake Superior, a protected water source. There are 120 lots, 2/3 are campers, 1/3 full time residents. The area is designated as Lake Residential and a Fishery and is a destination point for extended families and Thunder Bay visitors. The proposed gravel pit is too close to residences, conflicts with the established land use and poses risk to the natural environment.
Re-zoning the property at Trout Lake would result in short term gains for the sand and gravel pit at the expense of long term consequences for people and the environment. It also sets a bad precedent for the region. Alternative sites already zoned for aggregate extraction are abundantly available.
Please join us in opposing the application to rezone for the following reasons:
1. Unacceptable environmental hazards to surface and ground water, air quality, ecosystems and biodiversity.
2. Unacceptable health hazards from contaminants to water and air. Diesel fuel and most significantly, aggregate dust affects all people, mostly children, the elderly, people with asthma, heart disease, COPD and diabetes. Aggregate dust contains silica, a known carcinogen.
3. Unacceptable noise levels associated with crushing rocks and truck traffic.
4. Unacceptable safety hazards resulting from increased truck traffic, and,
5. Unacceptable cost to tax payers as a result of increased health costs, damage to provincial roads and private property.
Funds are needed to level the playing field by retaining a Professional Planner for guidance, advice, and expert representation as well as for Environmental Experts to peer review studies put forth by the applicant. The studies submitted by the applicatnt need to be peer reviewed by relevant experts in the area that can confirm or deny their validity. This can cost from $2,000-4,000 each (currently there are 4 studies submitted). Moreover, we have retained and are contracting a planner to aid us in advice and relevant research that needs to be done in pertaining to this property. It is estimated that this will likely cost us $10,000 total. Any amount will be greatly appreciated. Attending the Lakehead Rural Planning Board meetings on May 3 or June 7th, 2018 would also demonstrate - by numbers - just how much we all value this region. Their offices are located at 3250 Hwy 130 Rosslyn ON (just west of the Twin City Crossroads and Arthur Street).
All funds raised for this campaign will be directly deposited into the Trout Lake Campers' Association account through Allana Hogard (treasurer of Trout Lake Campers' Association). The gravel pit opposition subcommittee, for which I am apart of, will then decide upon the utilization of these funds for the above described needs.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration to support our efforts to protect Trout Lake and the future of this vibrant area!
Trout Lake Campers’ Association
Subcommittee for Gravel Pit Opposition
subcommittee member - Robin Latimer - permanent resident at Trout Lake
Organizer and beneficiary
Robin Latimer
Organizer
Thunder Bay North, ON
Allana Hogard
Beneficiary
